Ferndale Events to Help Fund Lifesaving Transplant for Local Mother

On a good day, St. Clair Shores mom Jessica Johnson is well enough to play with her toddler son at his baby sitter's house. On a bad day, it can be impossible for her to do much other than sleep.

The 33-year-old wife, mother and stepmother was born with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease that has left her with only 30 percent to 40 percent of her normal lung capacity. She will continue to lose lung capacity until she dies — or until she gets a lung transplant.

"I wish I had the energy to do more," said Johnson, mom to 18-month-old Samuel and stepmother to 9-year-old Sepporah. Samuel goes to a baby sitter's house during the day.

"That part breaks my heart," she said. "It's just hard to feel like I'm only part of a mom."

A double lung transplant could save Johnson's life, but in order to be on the transplant waiting list, the hospital's transplant review board factors in the patient's ability to pay for expenses before and after the surgery. Johnson's transplant-related expenses are estimated to be $60,000.

Kirsten Buys, Johnson's future sister-in-law and a Ferndale business owner, has helped organize a variety of upcoming events in the Ferndale area to help reach that goal. So far, those efforts have raised close to 20 percent of the cost.

“We are beyond grateful for the generous donations Jessica already has received, but now it’s time to get the community involved,” said Buys, owner of Fresh Chef Detroit in Ferndale. “I’ve reached out to my fellow members of the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses to help us raise the money necessary to keep Jessica around for years to come."

Johnson said she is overwhelmed with the support she has received.

"I'm very appreciative of everything everybody's doing," she said in a phone interview Wednesday while writing thank-you notes. "I'm filling them out for people who I don't even know, and it's just overwhelming joy and gratitude."

Her husband, Christopher Johnson, said they recently met with the transplant doctors in Cleveland, who said they would like her to be on the list by the beginning of the summer.

"That is great news, but at the same time, very scary that it is approaching so fast," he said. "We want to thank everyone who has given so far and will give in the future and for all the support around us. We couldn't have gotten this far without it."

Four fundraisers planned in Ferndale

• Sunday at Serendipity Yoga, 207 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 4-5 p.m. Certified instructor Monica Breen will lead an hourlong class for all levels. A suggested donation of $10 cash will be collected at the class.
• Feb. 25: Woodward Avenue Brewers, 22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 1-5 p.m. For every $10 donation at the door, guests get one entry for door prize drawings, which include gift baskets, artwork and gift certificates for area beauty and massage services, restaurants and stores. There also will be a bake sale and a silent auction for larger items such as furniture, business-related services and travel packages. Please contact Buys if you have a donation or a business that would like to get involved.
• March 6: Essential Massage Therapy, 22941 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Proceeds from all massages will go toward Johnson’s lung fund. Call 248-547-5428 to make an appointment.
• March 29: The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 7-10 p.m. Details still are being nailed down, but a $10 wristband at the door will entitle entrants to drink discounts and free pool. All wristband proceeds will go to Johnson’s fund. Cash, checks and most major credit cards will be accepted at the WAB and The Loving Touch events for additional donations, and Hope for Jessica T-shirts will be for sale.

For more information or to contribute to any of the events — or to learn about other fundraising and volunteer opportunities — contact Buys at 248-302-0503 or kirsten@freshchefdetroit.com. Visit COTAforJessicaJ.com for more information.